Eco Retreat Centre, SNOWdoNIA

'A Welsh shangri-la'

CAE MABON

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Croeso / welcome

Croeso i Gae Mabon yng nghalon Eryri

Welcome to Cae Mabon in the heart of Snowdonia

Cae Mabon nestles at the foot of Elidir Fawr in an oak forest clearing by a little river that cascades down to the nearby lake. The summit of Snowdon lies just five miles to the southwest as the crow flies.

At the heart of Cae Mabon is a thatched Celtic Roundhouse. With a fire in its hearth and smoke rising from the thatch it’s been the home of many convivial evenings of song, story and chat.

Circling the Roundhouse is a family of seven elegant natural dwellings – a strawbale Hogan, an oak and slate Longhouse, a cedar log Lodge, a cob Cottage, a redwood Chalet, a Hobbit Hut and a cedar Cabin. Each is unique, snug and subtly lit by solar power. Together they accommodate up to 30 people.

A renovated barn contains a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious eating and meeting room. There is a fine composting loo, a stylish washroom, a thatched shower hut and, stunningly located by the river, a luxurious hot tub…

What happens here?

People come to Cae Mabon from all over Britain and the world. It’s a perfect setting for groups to meet, work, retreat and play. Events include song, dance and storytelling workshops; healing and therapeutic groups; yoga, meditation and green spirituality retreats; Celtic landscape and mythology tours; school groups and youth environmental camps (including ‘rites of passage’ events for young people); corporate intensives on creativity and communication; mini eco-festivals. People come to learn about natural building, for seasonal celebrations and for weddings. Every year there are open weeks (for those who simply want to experience the place) and the ever-popular April and October working parties.

Responses....

Cae Mabon has been described as ‘insanely’ and ‘jaw-droppingly’ beautiful; a ‘fairytale village’; ‘a verdant retreat from the crazy world’. One couple said: ‘We arrived with the idea, an inkling, a fuzzy dream… but leave with clear minds, inspiration and the knowledge that dreams can come true.’

In 2008 Professor Tom Woolley, writing in ‘Sustain’ declared Cae Mabon the ‘number one natural building project in the UK’. He said:‘Cae Mabon is a Welsh Shangri-La hanging on a steep hillside with stunning views across to Snowdon. Over many years it has grown organically … into a mini expo of handmade buildings using straw, cob, timber and thatch … Built initially without planning permission, officialdom has been won over by its charm and magic.’

In December 2011 John Thackara in his ‘Doors of Perception’ blog wrote: ‘Sites such as Cae Mabon are like the region's antibodies, playing a vital role in healing the crippling disconnection within Western culture between body, soul, spirit, and place.’